2nd gear

dru · Jan 8, 2009

Is 2nd gear on an automatic transmission like starting in 2nd on a manual or does it start in 1st then shift to 2nd as you speed up? either way what would you tow in if pulling a boat up pretty steep launch ramp? ive been retrieving in 2nd.

thanks

Bent Bolt · Jan 8, 2009

On most Fords, when you select 2nd gear, it starts off in and stays in 2nd gear. On Chevy's if you select 2nd, it'll start in 1st and then shift to 2nd.

dru · Jan 9, 2009

Bent Bolt said:
On most Fords, when you select 2nd gear, it starts off in and stays in 2nd gear. On Chevy's if you select 2nd, it'll start in 1st and then shift to 2nd.

thanks. so would i get more torque to the ground in 1st rather than 2nd gear at slow speeds? under 10 mph.

Gotta_gofast · Jan 9, 2009

...first gear would yield a better gear reduction. That poor trans is trying to work its ass off pulling a load up a hill in 2nd!? Just drop it in drive. The trans will know what gear to select!

dru · Jan 9, 2009

Gotta_gofast said:
...first gear would yield a better gear reduction. That poor trans is trying to work its ass off pulling a load up a hill in 2nd!? Just drop it in drive. The trans will know what gear to select!

the first time i took it out i pulled in drive. Someone suggested throwing it in 2nd to make it easier. I tried it and it seemed to pull better. maybe it was the placebo effect. ill have to try it again.

thanks

Gotta_gofast · Jan 10, 2009

If anything, when pulling out of a boat launch, drop it all the way into "1". Your ranger is equipped with the 5R55W transmission. First gear is a 3.22:1 gear reduction. Second gear, on the other hand is a 2.41:1 reduction. First gear has a tremendous leverage advantage. When you pull in a higher gear, your torque converter is working harder. In the process of multiplying your engines torque, it creates a lot of heat. Heat is the biggest enemy of an automatic transmission. I doubt the trans will heat up to the point of a failure during a boatlaunch pull, but starting off in town in 2nd all the time could heat it up. Next time you have a load behind the 3.0L of yours, drop it into "1" and it will effortlessly tug that trailer around compared to the 2nd gear startoff!

dru · Jan 10, 2009

Gotta_gofast said:
If anything, when pulling out of a boat launch, drop it all the way into "1". Your ranger is equipped with the 5R55W transmission. First gear is a 3.22:1 gear reduction. Second gear, on the other hand is a 2.41:1 reduction. First gear has a tremendous leverage advantage. When you pull in a higher gear, your torque converter is working harder. In the process of multiplying your engines torque, it creates a lot of heat. Heat is the biggest enemy of an automatic transmission. I doubt the trans will heat up to the point of a failure during a boatlaunch pull, but starting off in town in 2nd all the time could heat it up. Next time you have a load behind the 3.0L of yours, drop it into "1" and it will effortlessly tug that trailer around compared to the 2nd gear startoff!

sweet!!!

Gotta_gofast · Jan 10, 2009

...your going to hook up to something heavy tomorrow aren't you? :taunt:

2nd gear

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